Many students are planning to get some work experience this summer – some will work in the UK, others will go overseas to find work experience, take part in a volunteering project or travel.  Funding for these opportunities (especially if you undertake unpaid work experience)  is often the biggest stumbling block – so if you are not lucky enough to have savings, here are some other great ideas on how to fund your experience.

1. University of York Travel Bursary: Applications open on 3 March 2014 at 9.00am and close Friday 25 April 2014 at noon
2. Santander International Connections Award 2013/14, £500 – £5000 available for individual and group applications. Second round of applications opens on 3 March 2014 at 9.00am and closes at noon, Friday 25 April 2014
3. Personal Fundraising: Get in touch with people who have done something similar to find out how they funded their trip. Search “Fundraising Ideas” and “Gap Year Funding” online or try these fundraising ideas
4. It’s not always an option for everyone but you could work before you go, save hard, and using your savings to fund your trip or work experience
5. Try your Local Education Authority or District Council for details of any local grants available. Local Lions and Rotary Clubs may also be able to help
6. Turn2us: Usually only small pots of money that you may be eligible for depending on your personal circumstances and background
7. Association of Charitable Foundations: Find links to grant-making trusts and foundations, other useful organisations in the UK  voluntary sector and contacts for grant-makers in other countries
8. Scholarship Search: Has a search for travel scholarships and some information on funding available more generally
9. Professional Associations and Societies: If your trip/experience is related to your course or future career, check out any funding available through the  professional body representing that industry
10. Eurodesk:  This is a unique information network working with partners all over Europe to provide all the information you need about finding opportunities to work, study or travel in Europe
11. YuStart: This is a crowdfunding platform to help members of the University to find funding for ways to explore their interests
12. Get Inspired: A fund made available through Careers to help students undertaking an unpaid internship in the summer. Details for 2014 applications are not yet available – we will let you know as soon as applications open.

A quick Google search can bring up many more options to fund overseas trips – for example:

• Winston Churchill Memorial Trust  Travelling Fellowships (register to receive an email alert when applications re-open in May 2014)
•  Peter Kirk Memorial Fund (Now closed for this summer’s awards, but apply in Autumn 2014 for travel next summer)
• Erasmus+ Money awarded to organisations to help young people access education, training, youth and sports opportunities across Europe
• Hazel’s Footprints A charity which seeks to provide funding for dedicated individuals wishing to work voluntarily in schools, charities or community projects abroad (6 months minimum)
• Jack Petchey Foundation Grants for volunteering projects overseas
• The Omprakash Ambassador Travel Grant for overseas voluntary work
• Sir Philip Reckitt Educational Trust – need to be resident in one of two particular areas of the UK to qualify
• The Arrol Trust – Award grants for students who are studying abroad or taking educational trips (Google for postal address)

Finally, Quest Overseas produces this list of potential funding sources for overseas travel, gap year grants and project funding which you may be able to apply for if you meet certain conditions.

Please note: Many of these sources will have set conditions and may have restrictions on who they are able to offer funding to – please check all details carefully before applying.